Hoofer load harness

ABSTRACT

A load harness has a load in the form of a container. A bag connector is mounted to the container. A belt connector is mounted to a belt worn by the user. A non-permanent connection is between the bag connector and the belt connector and is formed of a hook and groove or hook and loop or interlocking grooves. The load harness also has a harness mounted to the container, so that the bag connector engages with the harness. The bag connector has at least one arm which engage with at least one strap of the harness. The hook is shaped as a peg with a relatively broad and flat head. The hook is mounted to the bag connector and the receiving groove is formed on the belt connector. The hook is mounted to the belt connector and the receiving groove is formed on the bag connector.

This application claims domestic priority from provisional patent application entitled Hoofer Carry System by Hans Hoffman filed May 28, 2010 having application Ser. No. 61/396,486.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of carry systems.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A variety of different harnesses have been used for carrying loads such as bags. Harnesses have been used for caring bags, firearms, and communications equipment. Harnesses have a variety of functions and traditionally have been non-detachable from the load. Detachable carry systems are relatively recent in comparison.

A variety of golf bag harness devices have been created to allow for easier carrying of bags. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. D415,351 to Wang, issued Oct. 19, 1999 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, a golf bag shoulder harness comprises a device to evenly distribute the weight of the bag. A device comprising a carrying strap attached to a bag is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,343 to Shin, issued Nov. 28, 2000 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,974 to Varney et al., issued Dec. 28, 1999 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the golf bag carrying straps attach on a central hub with a mushroom shaped button closure. A support member and detachable container mounting arrangement with shoulder straps is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,932 to Wu, issued Apr. 17, 2001 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A load can be in the form of a container such as a golf bag, backpack, messenger bag, or box. A harness may be mounted to the container. A bag connector is mounted to the container and/or can be engaging with the harness. The bag connector may have at least one arm which engages with at least one strap of the harness. A belt connector is mounted to a belt worn by the user. A connection between the belt connector and bag connector may be a quickly-disengageable mechanical fitting means such as a hook and groove, hook and loop, or interlocking grooves. A hook can be in the shape of a peg of any cross sectional shape which has a relatively broad and flat head, or in the shape of a standard hook formed of a bent shaft optionally with a tip. A receiving groove is shaped to retain the head portion of the peg. When the non-permanent connection is engaged, load from the container can be at least partially transferred from the bag connector to the belt connector.

A non-permanent connection is between the bag connector and the belt connector and is formed of a hook and groove or hook and loop or interlocking grooves. The load harness also has a harness mounted to the container, so that the bag connector engages with the harness. The bag connector has at least one arm which engage with at least one strap of the harness. The hook is preferably shaped as a peg with a relatively broad and flat head. The hook is mounted to the bag connector and the receiving groove is formed on the belt connector. The hook is mounted to the belt connector and the receiving groove is formed on the bag connector.

The hook portion of the non-permanent connection can be mounted to the bag connector and the receiving groove is preferably formed on the belt connector. Alternatively, the hook can be mounted on the belt connector and the receiving groove is preferably mounted on the bag connector.

The bag connector is formed of an upper shell bag connector and a lower shell bag connector. The upper shell bag connector is bonded to the lower shell bag connector. The belt connector may be formed of an upper shell belt connector and a lower shell belt connector, so that the upper shell belt connector is bonded to the lower shell belt connector. The receiving groove preferably includes a pair of angled guides extending from the receiving groove. An insert may have an insert opening, so that the insert has a threaded inside surface which provides connection between the insert and the container. The container and the bag connector are preferably connected together by a threaded connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the belt connector connecting with the bag connector.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag connector.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the bag connector showing the quickly-disengageable mechanical fitting formed as a hook and groove.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the bag connector.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the belt connector.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the belt connector.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bag connector attached to a bag.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the quickly-disengageable mechanical fitting formed as a protrusion formed on the belt connector rather than on the harness.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the quickly-disengageable mechanical fitting formed as a protrusion formed on the belt connector rather than on the harness.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the protrusion receiver formed on the bag connector rather than on the harness.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the protrusion receiver formed on the bag connector rather than on the harness.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a protrusion formed on the belt connector.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a protrusion receiver formed on the bag connector.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the load harness being used for carrying a heavy firearm for military use.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a user wearing a belt connector on a belt.

The following call out list of elements can be a useful a guide for referencing the elements of the invention.

-   20 Bag Connector -   21 Bag Connector Frame -   22 Right Arm -   23 Left Arm -   24 Middle Opening -   25 Top Connection -   26 Bottom Connection -   27 Hook -   28 Hook Thread -   29 Hook Opening -   30 Belt Connector -   31 Belt Connector Top Face -   32 Belt Connector Flange -   33 Matrix -   34 Receiving Groove -   35 Upper Entry Area -   36 Support Post -   37 Receiver Opening -   38 Angled Guide -   39 Upper Guide -   41 Hook Plate -   42 Hook Plate Right Slot -   43 Hook Plate Left Slot -   44 Right Arm First Terminal -   45 Left Arm First Terminal -   46 Right Arm First Groove -   47 Left Arm First Groove -   48 Left Arm Second Groove -   49 Right Arm Second Groove -   51 Insert -   52 Insert Retainer -   53 Insert Retainer Opening -   54 Hook Thread Receiver -   55 Insert Retainer Mounting Hole -   86 Tapered Tip Opening -   87 Load -   88 Belt -   89 Harness

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A golf bag that is typically used to carry articles such as golf clubs, golf balls and golf gloves typically has a harness 89 that can be worn on a person like a backpack. The present invention further includes a belt 88 that the user wears and a bag connector 20 mounting to the harness 89 of the golf bag. The bag connector 20 connects to the belt connector 30 via a quickly-disengageable mechanical fitting which, when engaged, distributes a portion or all of the load from the shoulder to the hips.

The bag connector may have at least one arm preferably made of a resilient material such as metal or plastic. The arm or arms are preferably resilient. A pair of arms, namely a left arm 23 and a right arm 22 provide stability to the golf bag when a user engages the pair of arms with a portion of the harness of the golf bag.

The bag connector has a bag connector frame 21 which is rigid and may retain a right arm 22 and a left arm 23 and may have a middle opening 24. A top connection 25 can be formed on the bag connector frame 21. A bottom connection 26 can also be formed on the bag connector frame. The top connection 25 is preferably threaded so that a screw or knob having threads can connect the threaded portion of the top connection 25 to a threaded aperture of the golf bag.

The bottom connection 26 has a hook 27 mounted to the bottom connection 26. The hook 27 preferably includes a hook thread 28 which engages with the thread of the bottom connection 26. The hook thread 28 passes through a hook opening 29 and engages with a hook thread receiver 54. The hook thread receiver 54 is disposed on a hook plate 41 having a hook plate right slot 42 and a hook plate left slot 43. The right arm 22 and left arm 23 may each be formed as loops. The hook plate right slot 42 retains the right arm first terminal 44. The hook plate left slot 43 retains the first arm first terminal 45. The housing of the bag connector is formed as a pair of upper and lower sections which connect together for rigidity. After the hook thread receiver 54 receives the hook thread 28, the hook thread receiver 54 engages with an insert retainer mounting hole 55.

An insert 51 has preferably a smooth outer surface and a threaded inner surface. The threaded outer surface engages with an insert retainer 52 formed as a side wall of a lower section of the bag connector housing. The insert 51 preferably is retained snugly within the insert retainer 52 by adhesive or interference fit. An upper portion of the upper section of the bag connector housing, an insert retainer opening 53 exposes the internal thread of the insert retainer.

The left arm second groove 48 receives the left arm 23 and the right arm second groove 49 receives the right arm 22. Thus, the left arm and the right arm are both connected to the bag connector housing such that they do not pull out of the housing.

The hook 27 has a generally flat top and a peg which is preferably threaded, but could also have other types of connection with the housing of the bag connector. The peg portion of the hook 27 is sized and shaped to fit a receiving groove 34 such that the receiving groove 34 retains the generally flat top within a hollow portion underneath the receiving groove 34 so that the bag can swivel relative to the belt on an axis which is the peg of the hook 27. The diameter of the receiving groove 34 is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the stem of the hook 27. The receiving groove 34 is formed on a belt connector top face which can be formed of an upper and lower belt connector section. An upper belt connector section can connect to a lower belt connector section where the support post 36 of the lower belt connector section engages with a receiver opening 37 of the upper belt connector section.

Accordingly, the belt connector retains the hook portion of the bag connector so that the bag connector is in swivel connection with the belt connector. A plurality of angled guide 38 extend from the receiving groove 34 to provide an open area which leads to an upper entry area 35 to allow entry of the head of the hook into a cavity formed between the pair of upper and lower belt connector housing. The open area is bounded by an upper guide 39 defining a top edge of the belt connector housing. The belt connector may further include a matrix 33 having a plurality of openings for stabilizing and adding structural rigidity. The belt connector may also include a belt connector top face 31 which extends above a surface of a belt connector flange 32.

When a user uses the device, the user may wear the belt 88 first and then can put on the harness 89 which allows the user to insert the hook portion of the bag connector into the receiving groove 34 of the belt connector. The user may also first insert the hook portion of the bag connector into the receiving groove 34 of the belt connector.

Alternatively, the belt connector may feature a hook mounted to the location where the receiving groove is located and the receiving groove can be formed on the bag connector where the hook is located. By inverting the construction, the user may use the harness without risk of the hook poking into the side of a user. The hook may engage with a groove or with a groove formed of a loop of a strand of cord such as an inelastic rope, an elastic rope such as an elastic bungee cord or an inelastic and resilient cable such as steel cable.

Connectors to engage the left and right straps of the harness 89 may be mounted to the left arm 23 and right arm 22 of the bag connector in order to provide additional stability.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the quickly-disengageable mechanical fitting formed as a protrusion formed on the belt connector rather than on the harness. The flat-panel portion of the belt connector can be attached to a belt with a protrusion extending from the flat surface of the flat-panel portion of the belt connector. FIG. 9 is a side view of the quickly-disengageable mechanical fitting formed as a protrusion formed on the belt connector rather than on the harness. The protrusion can fit into a protrusion receiver.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the protrusion receiver formed on the bag connector rather than on the harness. The protrusion receiver can be molded as a plastic pocket like holder which holds an outside edge of the protrusion. The protrusion receiver can be round shaped allowing swiveling of the protrusion within the protrusion receiver. FIG. 11 is a front view of the protrusion receiver formed on the bag connector rather than on the harness. The front view shows that the protrusion receiver does not need to be very deep. The protrusion receiver can be scoop shaped such as the scoop shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a protrusion formed on the belt connector. Instead of a protrusion that has an orientation which points downward, a circular protrusion can be disposed on the belt connector which allows 360° rotation of the load which can be a bag or a firearm. FIG. 13 is a front view of a protrusion receiver formed on the bag connector designed to work with the protrusion which is circular and shown in FIG. 12. A pocket on the bag connector may have a hollow entryway with a tapered tip and receive a stem of the protrusion formed as a circular protrusion shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows a depression for receiving the protrusion. The depression has a tapered tip opening 86 which may receive a shaft of the circular protrusion.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the load harness being used for carrying a heavy firearm for military use. The firearm can be retained to the bag connector. When the firearm is retained to the bag connector structure, the bag connector structure can also be called a firearm connector. The firearm connector may have loops which can loop around the firearm or have other standard connection to the firearm, such as on a mounting rail of the firearm. 

1. A load harness comprising: a. a load in the form of a container; b. a bag connector mounted to the container; c. a belt connector mounted to a belt worn by the user; d. a non-permanent connection between the bag connector and the belt connector formed of a hook and groove or hook and loop or interlocking grooves.
 2. The load harness of claim 1, further comprising a harness mounted to the container, wherein the bag connector engages with the harness.
 3. The load harness of claim 2 wherein the bag connector further comprises at least one arm which engage with at least one strap of the harness.
 4. The load harness of claim 3 wherein the hook is shaped as a peg with a relatively broad and flat head.
 5. The load harness of claim 4, wherein the hook is mounted to the bag connector and wherein the receiving groove is formed on the belt connector.
 6. The load harness of claim 4, wherein the hook is mounted to the belt connector and the receiving groove is formed on the bag connector.
 7. The load harness of claim 6, wherein the receiving groove includes a pair of angled guides extending from the receiving groove.
 8. The load harness of claim 2, further comprising an insert having an insert opening, wherein the insert has a threaded inside surface which provides connection between the insert and the container, wherein the container and the bag connector are connected together by a threaded connection; wherein the bag connector is formed of an upper shell bag connector and a lower shell bag connector, wherein the upper shell bag connector is bonded to the lower shell bag connector; wherein a receiving groove includes a pair of angled guides extending from the receiving groove; further comprising a harness mounted to the container, wherein the bag connector engages with the harness, wherein the bag connector further comprises a right loop and a left loop which respectively engage with a right strap and a left strap of the harness.
 9. A load harness comprising: a. a load in the form of a firearm; b. a harness mounted to the firearm; c. a bag connector mounted to the container and engaging with the harness or alternately integral with the container; d. a belt connector mounted to a belt worn by the user; e. a connection between the belt connector and bag connector comprising a quickly-disengageable mechanical fitting which is a hook and groove, hook and loop, or interlocking grooves.
 10. The load harness of claim 9, wherein the hook is mounted to the bag connector and the receiving groove is formed on the belt connector.
 11. The load harness of claim 9, wherein the hook is mounted to the belt connector and the receiving groove is formed on the bag connector.
 12. The load harness of claim 11, wherein the bag connector is formed of an upper shell bag connector and a lower shell bag connector, wherein the upper shell bag connector is bonded to the lower shell bag connector.
 13. The load harness of claim 12, wherein the belt connector is formed of an upper shell belt connector and a lower shell belt connector, wherein the upper shell belt connector is bonded to the lower shell belt connector.
 14. The load harness of claim 13, wherein the receiving groove includes a pair of angled guides extending from the receiving groove.
 15. The load harness of claim 14, further comprising an insert having an insert opening, wherein the insert has a threaded inside surface which provides connection between the insert and the container, wherein the container and the bag connector are connected together by a threaded connection.
 16. A load harness comprising: a. a load in the form of a container wherein the container is a backpack; b. a bag connector mounted to the backpack; c. a belt connector mounted to a belt worn by the user; d. a connection between the belt connector and bag connector comprising a quickly-disengageable mechanical fitting which is a hook and groove, hook and loop, or interlocking grooves.
 17. The load harness of claim 16, wherein the hook is mounted to the bag connector and wherein a receiving groove is formed on the belt connector.
 18. The load harness of claim 16, wherein the hook is mounted to the belt connector and a receiving groove is formed on the bag connector.
 19. The load harness of claim 18, wherein the bag connector further comprises at least one arm which engages with at least one strap of the backpack.
 20. The load harness of claim 19, wherein a receiving groove includes a pair of angled guides extending from the receiving groove; further comprising a harness mounted to the container, wherein the bag connector engages with the harness, wherein the bag connector further comprises a right loop and a left loop which respectively engage with a right strap and a left strap of the harness; and further comprising an insert having an insert opening, wherein the insert has a threaded inside surface which provides connection between the insert and the container, wherein the container and the bag connector are connected together by a threaded connection; wherein the bag connector is formed of an upper shell bag connector and a lower shell bag connector, wherein the upper shell bag connector is bonded to the lower shell bag connector. 